The Arizona getaway came to an end in 2013. with plenty of stops along the way at Hastings at Arizona, but afterward, the only time I stopped at a Hastings was in Kirkwood Missouri in 2014. A year later, the St Louis trip would be my last going to FYE before Trans World closed just about every FYE in this time zone. Which meant the FYE at my old haunts in Mesa is no more either. I don't feel like driving all the way across the state to go to Sioux City or six hours to Quincy or three hours to Peoria. Chances are, being a Mall store, FYE wouldn't be worth a trip to stop in for 10 minutes and deal with pushy sales associates who probably wouldn't be there after a month or so anyway.
I became a hoarder after Jerry Scott, the former Relics' owner got tired of me buying the same tired classic rock stuff and he didn't have much for used CDs product and I wasn't about to pay 8 dollars for Eat Me In St Louis by It Bites and he told me to open up my closed mind. Which I wanted to remind him about getting pennies on the dollar for a used Sidewinders album that I came back from Arizona with. Had I known that Auntie Ramos Pool Hall was going to be a hard finding LP, I would have held on to that album.
So I decided to see what the pawnshops had for CDs, since in 1995, they took Cds on a regular basis. And from 1995 till the the death of Bruce Stanley, I frequented the pawnshops in town, plus the Mr. Money stores in Davenport and Iowa City. The Cds that I found at the Quad Cities Mr Money, nobody bought those. So I discovered Treat Her Right, 54-40, Blue Rodeo, Lush and Ride. Turns out there was more to life than classic rock. With that and cut outs from Camelot Music and Sam Goody/FYE, I discovered more bands than ever before. And became a big fan of Swinging Steaks, who managed to use my tribute to them on their website for a few years.
But as the 90s drew to a close, the internet begin to take over people's livelihood. All of a sudden with a tap of the keyboard, you can order a cds from Second Spin or Music Boulevard and get it sooner than what the record stores could get it. With that, we begin to lose the record stores, Relics got new ownership and struggled on till 2003, Rock n bach closed their doors around 1999 and then the domino effect took over. All of a sudden Trans World purchased all of the Wherehouse Music and Sam Goody and turned them into FYE and then in 2010 started closing the stores, Coralville in 2010. Hastings was mostly for college towns and the west coast but Ames had one till ten years ago, on a trip only to discover the for sale signs and getting there three weeks too late, the last time I've been in that area. BTW.
The pawnshops begin to turn away CD buying around 2002. And the 2005 Rootkit problem was the death knell for CDs and by then you can stream the album online. Vinyl was not the cool thing and I begin to find great albums for a dollar at the thrift stores. Half Price Books came into town in 2005 and since then, they have been the go to place for music, including the clearance bins of two dollar cds. For the unabashed collector like me, I look for certain cds from certain labels, One Way, Wounded Bird, Collectors Choice Music, Rhino in particular. And then the imports such as Bear Family, Ace UK, Cherry Red had better choice of music I was looking for. Rock Candy, Fantastic Voyage had surprises, imagine my surprise of finding The Godz S/T 1978 on Rock Candy at the local Goodwill. The closing of Hastings and FYE stores took away the anticipation of going to such stores and knowing they will have some decent bargain bin music is now history. The bottom line was that mergers didn't do shit for anybody but shareholders and CEOs Best Buy quit selling CDs, Borders, Virgin Music Mart and Tower Records were history. Like Woolworth's and Arlens and K Mart, the music hunter had to resort the kindness of strangers donating their collection to the thrift stores.
In reality, I never gave up hope of ever finding music. Believe me, I think the music finds me more than I do them in going to second hand stores. Goodwill can be hit and miss but this weekend I managed to find new releases from Todd Snider and Santana for 75 cents used and not played at all. A collector or a hoarder has a open mind and will buy anything that looks interesting or perhaps finding an sealed extra copy of Donald Fagen's Night fly for 2 dollars at Mad City Music X. And for somebody that has it all, what does it mean going to Stuff Etc and seeing Bob Luman' Lets Think About Living on CD for a dollar. Or Money Jungle from Duke Ellington? It's this open mindedness that keeps me searching on a regular basis. 45s, LPs, CDs. anything is fair game as long it's playable and not chewed up.
In theory, I have always been open-minded ever since discovering the four for a dollar Woolworth's 45 back in 1964 and whatever I found at the cheap stores. The Vinyl Revival was a double edge sword, it was great to have people rediscovering the LP but at the same time, new vinyl is outrageously expensive. For myself, I still prefer the CD format, so I can play it in the car over streaming and (ha ha) satellite radio. But the best CD store for new music is still in Dubuque so I have to take a every other month trip to see what's new. But I do and still support a Ragged Records or Analog Vault if and when they get something of value in. I continue to keep an open mind but at the same time not reveal all my secrets of what I'm looking for. You can't afford all of my secrets. ;)
(To Be Continued)
Sunday, October 13, 2019
Saturday, October 12, 2019
The Final Bargain Hunt-A Rehearsal For Retirement
As I came home from the Davenport bargain hunt and didn't find a single forty five, I realized that the days of going to the music store are becoming numbered. Basically with niche record stores popping up to sell overpriced vinyl and the big box stores phasing out CDs, it has simply come down to just going to thrift stores to find any sort of 45s, or estate sales or the every other month trip to Moondog Music to see what scratchy 45 I can find. Thank goodness for the going to Dubuque last week. Davenport was a bust all the way to the three and half hour baseball game to which the Kernels outfielder waking me up from my nap to ask about the time.
Granted this summer, I found some great stuff and managed to bring back to life, dirty 45s to play one more time, but I have yet to make a final trip to Madison, to which that will be the final bargain hunt of the year. We learn to never say never but since last year, I made a couple feeble attempts to drive up there from US 151 only to stop as far as Dubuque and hang at the local shops instead. Since the trips to the main cities around here actually yielded some great music, I decided to stay close to home. But I do need to make a Mad City run, since it was 25 years ago that I discovered that city and the music stores. They still have Mad City Music X, Strictly Discs, two Half Price Bookstores and St Vincent De paul and other thrift stores. The time will come.
In the time that I compiled what is called the Last Bargain Hunts and I documented of the closings of the stores. We said bye bye to FYE in 2010 and they continue to shrink their stores down to two in Arizona, it used to be 30 record stores are happening back in 1995, but once FYE started buying the Wherehouse Music chain, and the major labels doing stupid shit such as LOUDness Cds and the death ending Copy Protect CD which cause computers to fail from the Rootkit virus. And of course the majors eating each other so that three came out on top, the usual suspects are Universal, Sony Music and WEA, tho of late the Concord Music group has been issuing stuff from Atlantic and Wind Up via Craft Recordings and BMG Music Rights returning back from the dead. So in theory we have three majors and two up and comers. But still hard to find since Best Buy doesn't sell CDs and Wal Mart and Target shrinking their sections down to nil, forcing most folk to go Amazon.
I enjoy looking for CDs at stores better than ordering online. Stuff Etc and Goodwill usually have some sort of turnover, but Salvation Army usually has the crap nobody wants, they are more willing to have somebody donate a bunch of scratchy records, thus the chance to actually find something worth taking home. Streaming is easier, and it takes up way less space but for the record collector that has been me for 55 years, I still want the product in hand. Hard habits are forever hard to break, especially for the music hoarder/collector.
For over a decade, I started something called the last bargain hunt, which turned out to be pure bullshit. Me stop collecting? Right, as I planned my trips to Arizona to see what Hastings and FYE had. These big box stores, which everybody hated, had the better buys in the dollar section or discount bins and that's how my collection got big. To find Badfinger-Straight Up and Airwaves for five dollars or less, Wet Willie's Capricorn Cds for 2.99 and so on, that was the intent to go to Hastings out in the Northern Arizona country. And my home away from home was Hastings, in Kingman/Lake Havasu City/Bullhead City. It was a shame to see them fade into the dark in 2016.
(To Be Continued)
Granted this summer, I found some great stuff and managed to bring back to life, dirty 45s to play one more time, but I have yet to make a final trip to Madison, to which that will be the final bargain hunt of the year. We learn to never say never but since last year, I made a couple feeble attempts to drive up there from US 151 only to stop as far as Dubuque and hang at the local shops instead. Since the trips to the main cities around here actually yielded some great music, I decided to stay close to home. But I do need to make a Mad City run, since it was 25 years ago that I discovered that city and the music stores. They still have Mad City Music X, Strictly Discs, two Half Price Bookstores and St Vincent De paul and other thrift stores. The time will come.
In the time that I compiled what is called the Last Bargain Hunts and I documented of the closings of the stores. We said bye bye to FYE in 2010 and they continue to shrink their stores down to two in Arizona, it used to be 30 record stores are happening back in 1995, but once FYE started buying the Wherehouse Music chain, and the major labels doing stupid shit such as LOUDness Cds and the death ending Copy Protect CD which cause computers to fail from the Rootkit virus. And of course the majors eating each other so that three came out on top, the usual suspects are Universal, Sony Music and WEA, tho of late the Concord Music group has been issuing stuff from Atlantic and Wind Up via Craft Recordings and BMG Music Rights returning back from the dead. So in theory we have three majors and two up and comers. But still hard to find since Best Buy doesn't sell CDs and Wal Mart and Target shrinking their sections down to nil, forcing most folk to go Amazon.
I enjoy looking for CDs at stores better than ordering online. Stuff Etc and Goodwill usually have some sort of turnover, but Salvation Army usually has the crap nobody wants, they are more willing to have somebody donate a bunch of scratchy records, thus the chance to actually find something worth taking home. Streaming is easier, and it takes up way less space but for the record collector that has been me for 55 years, I still want the product in hand. Hard habits are forever hard to break, especially for the music hoarder/collector.
For over a decade, I started something called the last bargain hunt, which turned out to be pure bullshit. Me stop collecting? Right, as I planned my trips to Arizona to see what Hastings and FYE had. These big box stores, which everybody hated, had the better buys in the dollar section or discount bins and that's how my collection got big. To find Badfinger-Straight Up and Airwaves for five dollars or less, Wet Willie's Capricorn Cds for 2.99 and so on, that was the intent to go to Hastings out in the Northern Arizona country. And my home away from home was Hastings, in Kingman/Lake Havasu City/Bullhead City. It was a shame to see them fade into the dark in 2016.
(To Be Continued)
Thursday, September 26, 2019
Singles Going Steady 59-Madison The Rock Sides
The trip to Madison and to the records stores (namely Strictly Discs and Mad City Music X) and the thrift stores have yielded some interesting finds and to this reviewer another reason to document the whole thing. Record collectors and hoarders still roam the stores every day. Tho' I disagree with the stores inflating prices on scratchy 45s (believe me, my grading of a VG- record and the record stores ratings differ, especially if the record is scratched up, I'm not paying 30 dollars for a G- version of I Walk The Line by Johnny Cash). I do have a review anything that looks interesting method, who else can explain four Gogi Grant records found and taken home to listen to perhaps one time. Pristine copies of Tommy Dorsey and Jaye P Morgan likewise played and filed away till the next record dump. But it is the rock records that will continue to hold court here. Will there be a cut off date for the last 45 I buy? After death perhaps but as long as people continue to donate their collection and if i can find them, I pick out the best of the bunch.
The pop singles do paint a vivid picture of the music of the 1950s, Big Bands turning to the cha cha cha or the twist in order to be remembered but sounds dated today. Even the best faltered, Sam Cooke and Teenage Sonata comes to mind. And those weird space pad jazz sides and muzak bands, it boggles the mind to see a orchestra find its way to Atlantic Records (Raymond Lefevare's Come Softly To Me) or Henry Mancini's Peter Gunn that showed that even orchestras could rock out.
While I was digging deep into the 45s at the Madison St Vincent De Paul, I had a twenty something pop up and was wowing through some of the scratched up records. (oooh, Make It With You by Bread) and we talked a bit about music. he didn't buy the Bread cd or some other single of some band I forgotten but she settled on a first edition copy of Saturday Night Fever for a dollar twenty five, which it had the original Polydor stamp on the bottom of the label. I enjoyed the conversations with the kiddies about music, but I really doubt if he'll go full tilt into the art of dumpster diving for 45's. His woman wouldn't allow it.
I didn't find much of rock 45s at the thrift store, but the majority was found at Mad City Music X. The museum pieces at Strictly Discs I didn't buy and the most expensive were three two dollar singles, a couple that my mom used to have in that historic big box of 45s that was at my Grandma's house. As for the usual suspects, Paul Anka was left behind, I had most of the Brian Hyland and Johnny Tollison singles and anything else was curio buys. And as well a few forgotten songs from bands who's time has past. And I didn't buy everything, I left behind 25 cent copies of Road Runner by The Gants, Everybody Loves A Clown by Gary Lewis and another copy of Are You A Boy by The Barbarians, the latter I had a copy at home and after I cleaned that up, sounded good enough to keep. But I did find enough rock to be happy with. I think two years ago, we found better singles and left most of the pops stuff on the racks, but this crop of singles hold their own.
1. I Understand (just how you feel)-The G Clefs (Terrace 45-7500) #9 1961
Later covered by Freddie And The Dreamers. This is one of the forty fives I remember from the Big Box Grandma had. My mom and Aunt Sarge would go on record buying sprees. I tend to think my mom would have brought this dark doo wop pop number. G Clefs are more geared toward The Lettermen on this version. As well as the sappy Little Girl I Love You.
2. Alone (why must i be alone) Shepard Sisters (Lance T-125) #18 1957
A irresistible, catchy and sweet little R & B number, and this may have been one of the earliest songs that I remember ever hearing. Four sisters from a big family from Ohio and Marty Craft wanted them to record this song. Despite it's success, the sisters would record singles for various label with little luck (Mercury, MGM, Warwick, Big Top, United Artists, 20th Century, Atlantic, Private Stock). Alone would be remade twice, one for Warwick and then later for York. They work with Lieber/Stroller for United Artists and their last chart placement Don't Look At Me (#94 in 1963) was produced by Bob Crewe (Four Seasons). B side Congratulations To Someone is doo wop all the way. Blue eyed soul so to speak.
3. Born Too Late-Poni Tails (ABC Paramount 45-9934) #7 1958 .
Continuing the girl group vibe, here's another of those singles that came from The Big Box. Girl group doo wop could rival the guys at times. The Poni-Tails would score two more chart placing singles. I'm surprised how nice sounding these forty fives are, especially from the quarter bins. B side Come On Joey Dance With Me, sounds a lot like the previous song Alone (why must i be alone), uptempo and lots of fun. Poni-Tails would remain on ABC Paramount through their tenure and score two singles that made it to number 85 and 87.
4. Lovey Dovey-Buddy Knox (Liberty F-55290) #25 1960
A cover of the Clyde McPlatter classic, done with the usual strings as noted with early Snuff Garrett productions when anybody was on Liberty Records at time. B side I Got You (written by Dick Glasser, later producer for The Vogues, Everly Brothers) is passable teen pop with a Bo Diddley beat for a decent pop hook.
5. More Than I Can Say-Bobby Vee (Liberty F-55296) #61 1961
Stayin' In #33
Stayin' In, wasn't one of Bobby's bigger chart topping hits and like Buddy Knox's Lovey Dovey, Snuff Garrett is behind the arrangements with lively strings here and there. Written by John D Loudermilk (Tobacco Road). B side More Than I Can Say, is a faithful recording of the Sonny Curtis/Crickets classic and I'm surprised by the low chart showing. Bobby Vee would later record an album with the Crickets which is worth hearing if you can find it.
6. Alvin For President-David Seville/Chipmunks (Liberty F-55277) #95 1960
Growing up and if you were a kid, you love The Chipmunks. A lesser known song varied on It's Nice, It's Good till Alvin takes over the record to declare his presidency. Alvin would certainly be a better than the joke that is in the white house. We want Alvin! We want Alvin. B side Sack Time is a short minute long ragtime jazz number. Complete with yawns for laughs.
7. By The Light Of The Silvery Moon-Jimmy Bowen (Roulette R-4083) #50 1958
His final top 50 single. Bowen was a fairly good rockabilly singer but he would find himself to be in the producer's seat and reviving the careers of Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra as well as MCA Nashville president in the 1980s and reviving Waylon Jennings' career after the outlaw movement died down. B side The Two Step, would sound perfect for Marty Robbins to do had Marty knew this song existed. Written by Ersel Hickey (Bluebirds Over The Mountain).
8. Wear My Ring Around Your Neck-Elvis Presley (RCA 47-7240) #2 1958
Don't Cha Think It's Time #15
If anybody questions the ability of Elvis rocking out should take a listen to this rocking classic. DJ Fontana plays his butt on the drums. And of course Scotty and Bill too. B side Don't Cha Think It's Time is an underrated rocker. Written by Clyde Otis and.... Willie Dixon! King of rock and roll, Elvis in the 50s for sure.
9. My Babe-Ronnie Dove (Diamond D- 221) #50 1967
Written and produced by Neil Diamond! Reminds me of My Boy Lollipop. One of the earliest songs that Neil wrote and Ronnie covered. Dove was more middle of the road but this is more uptempo than he usually has. The guess is that Ellie Greenwich and Jeff Barry are the background singers. B side is another Diamond comp, Put My Mind At Ease but this time Phil Kaye produced and Ray Stevens arranged and it sounds closer to Gene Pitney. Which reminds me....
10. Princess In Rags-Gene Pitney (Musicor MU-1130) #37 1965
I had this on record years ago but of course it didn't survive very well. Ya know, frisbee tossing. So I found a better record, tho' the mastering is quite loud. Pitney has been an oddball recording artist, he would make great songs and then turn around make total crap. Amore Rio the B side is interesting Spanish influenced song that would turn off the casual fan but I find it a fascinating song. A shame that didn't make it to a best of.
11. Sweets For My Sweet-The Drifters (Atlantic 2117) #16 1961
One of my all time favorite songs from The Drifters, later covered quite beautifully by The Searchers. Even Stan Applebaum throws in a very good arrangement as well. B side I'll Take You Home (Atlantic 2201 #25 1963) written by Barry Mann/Cindy Weil is another quality song. This 45 is The Golden Series collection (OS 13018) and not the stock copy of 2117 B side to Sweets, Loneliness Or Happiness was a early song written by Burt Bachurach and Hal David and B side to I'll Take You Home is I Feel Good All Over. All four songs can be found on the excellent Drifters 1959-1965 Collection or The Ben E King Years and Beyond.
12. River Of Love-B W Stevenson (RCA APB0-017) #53 1973
Back in 1973 at the old Woolworth's in Town n Country Square, I had a choice to either buy this single or pick up a train box car and ended buying the Illinois Central Box car (to which I gave to a friend after my interest in train collecting died off). It took me forty five years to find a decent copy. I've seen five singles that seen better days. My Maria was BW's biggest hit but I loved this song better than My Maria. B side Lucky Touch could have been pitched as a country single.
13. Falling In Love-The Souther, Hillman,Furay Band (Asylum E-45201) 1974
This band got hyped to the gills and imploded. A great pairing of Chris Hillman and Richie Furay with J D Souther writing songs. I have the album and CD about three times, played them once and then traded them in. Never heard the Trouble In Paradise followup. Asylum made a mess out of their catalog, this was the lead off single, the follow up was Border Town but Asylum reissued the B side Safe As Home as the third single and then Mexico. None made the top 100. Falling In love remains their best song, Border Town number 2 and the rest you could live without. Heavenly Fire the B side was written by Chris Hillman, not one of his best but Falling In Love is the best Richie Furay song written after he left Poco. Side note: Jim Gordon plays drums on the first album, Ron Grindel (Joe Walsh) replaced him on the second album. Side note 2: Richie Polodor (Three Dog Night, Steppenwolf) produced this effort. Side note 3. In a perfect world, this would be played on classic rock radio.
14. It Doesn't Matter-Stephen Stills (Atlantic 45-2876) #61 1972
Rock And Roll Crazies B Side later (Atlantic 2888) #92
While both singles charted, none got airplay around here but I was familiar with them on the Manassas album that came out. While Stills is credited as solo artist, this song is co written and sang by Chris Hillman. Firefall would covered this song with different lyrics in 1976. B side Rock N Roll Crazies is the full version, but Atlantic issued this as a 2:35 single edit version. The Medley concludes with a shortened Jet Set (Sigh). The edited Rock n Roll Crazies is credited to Manassas and the B side is Colorado a so so country number. Collectibles reissued the My Maria album and tacked on River Of Love and a couple more singles and renamed it Greatest Hits in the mid 90s. Stevenson would continue to record, moving on to Warner Brothers and MCA with limited success.
15. Wizard Man-Procol Harum (Warner Bros CHR 2115) 1977
An oddity. At this point in time, Procol Harum was under contract to Chrysalis Records but this effort was issued on Warner Brothers. And the question remains why. My guess was at that time Chrysalis was through Warner Brothers before they broke away and became an stand alone major label in 1978. Wizard Man was the plug side but in the disco rock era, both this and B side Something Magic sounded out of place. Something Magic was closer to the Procol Harum prog rock sound, Wizard Man sounds more bluesy in like Whiskey Train. Some people like the Whiter Shale Of Pale type of songs. I can relate to Wizard Man better. As for the Warner Brothers curio label, WB wrote them off as a tax loss. Procol Harum would break up afterward (but then Gary Brooker would reform them and continues to lead that band).
16. Steppin In A Slide Zone-The Moody Blues (London 5N-270) #39 1978
Five years after Seventh Sojorn, The Moodies returned with the disappointing Octave and this was one of two singles issued via London Records. A three and half minute edit of Steppin appeared and it stumbled into the top forty but classic rock radio never played, nor the followup Driftwood, one of the more lovelier songs Justin Hayward ever penned. B side to Stepping, is Grame Edge's I'll Be Level With You, probably the hardest rocking number off Octave, tho not as good as After You Came. The Moodies would take another three years to return, minus Mike Pinder and Tony Clarke for Long Distance Voyager. And a new lease in life.
17. Jamaica-BTO (Mercury 74062) 1979
The second and final single from Bachman Turner Overdrive, to which by then Randy Bachman was gone and Jim Clench replaced him. This album is famous for the up and coming Bryan Adams and Jim Vallance coming to write songs for this band after the hits dried up. Vallance wrote Jamaica and I never knew this came out on a single since nobody in town sold the record. BTO did have one charting single, Fred Turner's Heartaches which crawled up to number 60 in late winter 1979. The followup bombed. B side End Of The Line was definitely the last B side and written by Jim Clench. Not one of their better efforts. Randy Bachman did return to the band (with Gary Peterson replacing Robby Bachman on drums) and issued an 1984 album on Compleat (later reissued through Sun Records (???) on Cd in the 1990s) to which he rewrote the lyrics to Takin Care Of Business called Service With A Smile. To which the public ignored.
18. Shotgun Rider-Delbert McClinton (Capitol/MSS 4984) #70 1981
The followup to Giving It Up For Your Loving, I actually liked this song better. Del has always done well with the Muscle Shoals Band (salute to Barry Beckett) and this was a quality single. B side was Baby Ruth but this was a DJ Promo copy.
So this completes the Madison singles on the rock side.
The pop singles do paint a vivid picture of the music of the 1950s, Big Bands turning to the cha cha cha or the twist in order to be remembered but sounds dated today. Even the best faltered, Sam Cooke and Teenage Sonata comes to mind. And those weird space pad jazz sides and muzak bands, it boggles the mind to see a orchestra find its way to Atlantic Records (Raymond Lefevare's Come Softly To Me) or Henry Mancini's Peter Gunn that showed that even orchestras could rock out.
While I was digging deep into the 45s at the Madison St Vincent De Paul, I had a twenty something pop up and was wowing through some of the scratched up records. (oooh, Make It With You by Bread) and we talked a bit about music. he didn't buy the Bread cd or some other single of some band I forgotten but she settled on a first edition copy of Saturday Night Fever for a dollar twenty five, which it had the original Polydor stamp on the bottom of the label. I enjoyed the conversations with the kiddies about music, but I really doubt if he'll go full tilt into the art of dumpster diving for 45's. His woman wouldn't allow it.
I didn't find much of rock 45s at the thrift store, but the majority was found at Mad City Music X. The museum pieces at Strictly Discs I didn't buy and the most expensive were three two dollar singles, a couple that my mom used to have in that historic big box of 45s that was at my Grandma's house. As for the usual suspects, Paul Anka was left behind, I had most of the Brian Hyland and Johnny Tollison singles and anything else was curio buys. And as well a few forgotten songs from bands who's time has past. And I didn't buy everything, I left behind 25 cent copies of Road Runner by The Gants, Everybody Loves A Clown by Gary Lewis and another copy of Are You A Boy by The Barbarians, the latter I had a copy at home and after I cleaned that up, sounded good enough to keep. But I did find enough rock to be happy with. I think two years ago, we found better singles and left most of the pops stuff on the racks, but this crop of singles hold their own.
1. I Understand (just how you feel)-The G Clefs (Terrace 45-7500) #9 1961
Later covered by Freddie And The Dreamers. This is one of the forty fives I remember from the Big Box Grandma had. My mom and Aunt Sarge would go on record buying sprees. I tend to think my mom would have brought this dark doo wop pop number. G Clefs are more geared toward The Lettermen on this version. As well as the sappy Little Girl I Love You.
2. Alone (why must i be alone) Shepard Sisters (Lance T-125) #18 1957
A irresistible, catchy and sweet little R & B number, and this may have been one of the earliest songs that I remember ever hearing. Four sisters from a big family from Ohio and Marty Craft wanted them to record this song. Despite it's success, the sisters would record singles for various label with little luck (Mercury, MGM, Warwick, Big Top, United Artists, 20th Century, Atlantic, Private Stock). Alone would be remade twice, one for Warwick and then later for York. They work with Lieber/Stroller for United Artists and their last chart placement Don't Look At Me (#94 in 1963) was produced by Bob Crewe (Four Seasons). B side Congratulations To Someone is doo wop all the way. Blue eyed soul so to speak.
3. Born Too Late-Poni Tails (ABC Paramount 45-9934) #7 1958 .
Continuing the girl group vibe, here's another of those singles that came from The Big Box. Girl group doo wop could rival the guys at times. The Poni-Tails would score two more chart placing singles. I'm surprised how nice sounding these forty fives are, especially from the quarter bins. B side Come On Joey Dance With Me, sounds a lot like the previous song Alone (why must i be alone), uptempo and lots of fun. Poni-Tails would remain on ABC Paramount through their tenure and score two singles that made it to number 85 and 87.
4. Lovey Dovey-Buddy Knox (Liberty F-55290) #25 1960
A cover of the Clyde McPlatter classic, done with the usual strings as noted with early Snuff Garrett productions when anybody was on Liberty Records at time. B side I Got You (written by Dick Glasser, later producer for The Vogues, Everly Brothers) is passable teen pop with a Bo Diddley beat for a decent pop hook.
5. More Than I Can Say-Bobby Vee (Liberty F-55296) #61 1961
Stayin' In #33
Stayin' In, wasn't one of Bobby's bigger chart topping hits and like Buddy Knox's Lovey Dovey, Snuff Garrett is behind the arrangements with lively strings here and there. Written by John D Loudermilk (Tobacco Road). B side More Than I Can Say, is a faithful recording of the Sonny Curtis/Crickets classic and I'm surprised by the low chart showing. Bobby Vee would later record an album with the Crickets which is worth hearing if you can find it.
6. Alvin For President-David Seville/Chipmunks (Liberty F-55277) #95 1960
Growing up and if you were a kid, you love The Chipmunks. A lesser known song varied on It's Nice, It's Good till Alvin takes over the record to declare his presidency. Alvin would certainly be a better than the joke that is in the white house. We want Alvin! We want Alvin. B side Sack Time is a short minute long ragtime jazz number. Complete with yawns for laughs.
7. By The Light Of The Silvery Moon-Jimmy Bowen (Roulette R-4083) #50 1958
His final top 50 single. Bowen was a fairly good rockabilly singer but he would find himself to be in the producer's seat and reviving the careers of Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra as well as MCA Nashville president in the 1980s and reviving Waylon Jennings' career after the outlaw movement died down. B side The Two Step, would sound perfect for Marty Robbins to do had Marty knew this song existed. Written by Ersel Hickey (Bluebirds Over The Mountain).
8. Wear My Ring Around Your Neck-Elvis Presley (RCA 47-7240) #2 1958
Don't Cha Think It's Time #15
If anybody questions the ability of Elvis rocking out should take a listen to this rocking classic. DJ Fontana plays his butt on the drums. And of course Scotty and Bill too. B side Don't Cha Think It's Time is an underrated rocker. Written by Clyde Otis and.... Willie Dixon! King of rock and roll, Elvis in the 50s for sure.
9. My Babe-Ronnie Dove (Diamond D- 221) #50 1967
Written and produced by Neil Diamond! Reminds me of My Boy Lollipop. One of the earliest songs that Neil wrote and Ronnie covered. Dove was more middle of the road but this is more uptempo than he usually has. The guess is that Ellie Greenwich and Jeff Barry are the background singers. B side is another Diamond comp, Put My Mind At Ease but this time Phil Kaye produced and Ray Stevens arranged and it sounds closer to Gene Pitney. Which reminds me....
10. Princess In Rags-Gene Pitney (Musicor MU-1130) #37 1965
I had this on record years ago but of course it didn't survive very well. Ya know, frisbee tossing. So I found a better record, tho' the mastering is quite loud. Pitney has been an oddball recording artist, he would make great songs and then turn around make total crap. Amore Rio the B side is interesting Spanish influenced song that would turn off the casual fan but I find it a fascinating song. A shame that didn't make it to a best of.
11. Sweets For My Sweet-The Drifters (Atlantic 2117) #16 1961
One of my all time favorite songs from The Drifters, later covered quite beautifully by The Searchers. Even Stan Applebaum throws in a very good arrangement as well. B side I'll Take You Home (Atlantic 2201 #25 1963) written by Barry Mann/Cindy Weil is another quality song. This 45 is The Golden Series collection (OS 13018) and not the stock copy of 2117 B side to Sweets, Loneliness Or Happiness was a early song written by Burt Bachurach and Hal David and B side to I'll Take You Home is I Feel Good All Over. All four songs can be found on the excellent Drifters 1959-1965 Collection or The Ben E King Years and Beyond.
12. River Of Love-B W Stevenson (RCA APB0-017) #53 1973
Back in 1973 at the old Woolworth's in Town n Country Square, I had a choice to either buy this single or pick up a train box car and ended buying the Illinois Central Box car (to which I gave to a friend after my interest in train collecting died off). It took me forty five years to find a decent copy. I've seen five singles that seen better days. My Maria was BW's biggest hit but I loved this song better than My Maria. B side Lucky Touch could have been pitched as a country single.
13. Falling In Love-The Souther, Hillman,Furay Band (Asylum E-45201) 1974
This band got hyped to the gills and imploded. A great pairing of Chris Hillman and Richie Furay with J D Souther writing songs. I have the album and CD about three times, played them once and then traded them in. Never heard the Trouble In Paradise followup. Asylum made a mess out of their catalog, this was the lead off single, the follow up was Border Town but Asylum reissued the B side Safe As Home as the third single and then Mexico. None made the top 100. Falling In love remains their best song, Border Town number 2 and the rest you could live without. Heavenly Fire the B side was written by Chris Hillman, not one of his best but Falling In Love is the best Richie Furay song written after he left Poco. Side note: Jim Gordon plays drums on the first album, Ron Grindel (Joe Walsh) replaced him on the second album. Side note 2: Richie Polodor (Three Dog Night, Steppenwolf) produced this effort. Side note 3. In a perfect world, this would be played on classic rock radio.
14. It Doesn't Matter-Stephen Stills (Atlantic 45-2876) #61 1972
Rock And Roll Crazies B Side later (Atlantic 2888) #92
While both singles charted, none got airplay around here but I was familiar with them on the Manassas album that came out. While Stills is credited as solo artist, this song is co written and sang by Chris Hillman. Firefall would covered this song with different lyrics in 1976. B side Rock N Roll Crazies is the full version, but Atlantic issued this as a 2:35 single edit version. The Medley concludes with a shortened Jet Set (Sigh). The edited Rock n Roll Crazies is credited to Manassas and the B side is Colorado a so so country number. Collectibles reissued the My Maria album and tacked on River Of Love and a couple more singles and renamed it Greatest Hits in the mid 90s. Stevenson would continue to record, moving on to Warner Brothers and MCA with limited success.
15. Wizard Man-Procol Harum (Warner Bros CHR 2115) 1977
An oddity. At this point in time, Procol Harum was under contract to Chrysalis Records but this effort was issued on Warner Brothers. And the question remains why. My guess was at that time Chrysalis was through Warner Brothers before they broke away and became an stand alone major label in 1978. Wizard Man was the plug side but in the disco rock era, both this and B side Something Magic sounded out of place. Something Magic was closer to the Procol Harum prog rock sound, Wizard Man sounds more bluesy in like Whiskey Train. Some people like the Whiter Shale Of Pale type of songs. I can relate to Wizard Man better. As for the Warner Brothers curio label, WB wrote them off as a tax loss. Procol Harum would break up afterward (but then Gary Brooker would reform them and continues to lead that band).
16. Steppin In A Slide Zone-The Moody Blues (London 5N-270) #39 1978
Five years after Seventh Sojorn, The Moodies returned with the disappointing Octave and this was one of two singles issued via London Records. A three and half minute edit of Steppin appeared and it stumbled into the top forty but classic rock radio never played, nor the followup Driftwood, one of the more lovelier songs Justin Hayward ever penned. B side to Stepping, is Grame Edge's I'll Be Level With You, probably the hardest rocking number off Octave, tho not as good as After You Came. The Moodies would take another three years to return, minus Mike Pinder and Tony Clarke for Long Distance Voyager. And a new lease in life.
17. Jamaica-BTO (Mercury 74062) 1979
The second and final single from Bachman Turner Overdrive, to which by then Randy Bachman was gone and Jim Clench replaced him. This album is famous for the up and coming Bryan Adams and Jim Vallance coming to write songs for this band after the hits dried up. Vallance wrote Jamaica and I never knew this came out on a single since nobody in town sold the record. BTO did have one charting single, Fred Turner's Heartaches which crawled up to number 60 in late winter 1979. The followup bombed. B side End Of The Line was definitely the last B side and written by Jim Clench. Not one of their better efforts. Randy Bachman did return to the band (with Gary Peterson replacing Robby Bachman on drums) and issued an 1984 album on Compleat (later reissued through Sun Records (???) on Cd in the 1990s) to which he rewrote the lyrics to Takin Care Of Business called Service With A Smile. To which the public ignored.
18. Shotgun Rider-Delbert McClinton (Capitol/MSS 4984) #70 1981
The followup to Giving It Up For Your Loving, I actually liked this song better. Del has always done well with the Muscle Shoals Band (salute to Barry Beckett) and this was a quality single. B side was Baby Ruth but this was a DJ Promo copy.
So this completes the Madison singles on the rock side.
Wednesday, September 25, 2019
Singles Going Steady 58-The Madison Singles Pop Side
As described in the earlier blog, Madison had some interesting finds on 45. Certainly the most polarizing we go through into one extreme to another. So we'll split this up into two side. One, the pop sides and the next the rock side. But as we know my musical tastes go over the map be it LP 45 or compact disc. Nobody should be this eccentric (or erratic).
1. Fever-Earl Grant (Decca 9-30475) 1957
I've known Grant better as a light jazz artist (Beyond The Reef) but Grant made a career being on Decca is a jazz/pop piano player but on this cover of the Little Willie John song, Grant goes for a jazzy pop sound, including organ to counter the piano playing, and a bit of sax too. Hardly anybody remembers this and at this point in time, I doubt nobody will, not the smart phone generation. The B side Malaguena is a cha cha number, the product of the times, till Grant speeds it up and adds extreme organ at the end. Ole!
2. Danger! Heartbreak Ahead-Jaye P. Morgan (RCA 47-6016) #12 1955
I admired her duets with Eddy Arnold enough to take a chance on a couple of her solo 45's but come to find she was in the line of Doris Day in 50's pop. She can be brash and sassy, certainly a more stronger voice but the material presented on this record is more muzak pop to my liking and perhaps Hugo Winterhaller is to be blamed for such banal arranging. Softly Softly, the other side, I could tolerate about a half minute before moving on to something else. Think I'll stick with the Eddy Arnold duets thank you.
3. Do You Mind?-Andy Williams (Cadence 1381) #70 1960
One of the kings of the muzak pop scene was Andy Williams but during his Cadence years he would actually ventured into a bit more sunny pop than blah pop, the latter you would get plenty of it when he switched to Columbia and a long 35 year career on that label before Andy went to Atco for a 1986 standards album. A bit more uptempo than you would think on Do You Mind, this song probably did better on the easy listening chart. The B side Dreamsville comes from the Mr. Lucky album and written by Henry Mancini, which reminds me.....
4. Mr. Lucky-Henry Mancini (RCA 47-7705) #21 1960
The first top twenty five single from Mr. Mancini, who could write some decent soundtrack music (Peter Gunn anybody?). This song is considered one of those "space age bathelor pad" jazz music that did find its way to such compilations when Esquvel was discovered in the late 90s and had a few of his albums reissued on CD. But I think people have outgrown that music once again. Mancini could write some mysterious and dark music (The Blues) before going full movie muzak with Days Of Wine And Roses (which has the Peter Gunn Theme on the B side). B side Floating Pad is a more darker comp and preferable to these ears.
5. I Don't Want To Set The World On Fire-Frankie Laine (ABC 45-11057) 1968
I found the infamous ABC/Tangerine label of this song. Tangerine was Ray Charles' label when he was recording for ABC Paramount and Frankie was part of ABC Records, not Tangerine. It's a curio to find this single, to which collectors have on their list of 45s to get. Frankie had a long career with Columbia and then Mercury. The ABC years are considered to be one of Laine's high points. Bob Thiele produced most of those ABC sessions, tho' getting schlockmaster Peter D'Angelos (famous for Frankie Avalon and Fabian's sides for Chancellor Records) didn't help much. Ray Barr arranged the b side I Found You, but it's Laine's vocals that make this song. Now if I can find a decent copy of Dammit Isn't God's Last Name....
6. Paths Of Paradise-Johnnie Ray (Columbia 4-40435) 1955
One of forgotten voices of the 1950's Johnnie Ray is considered to be one of the forefathers of rock and roll, he certainly was the most passionate of vocalists out there. This song did managed to make it on a retrospective CD and it's a fairly good number but the B side Parade Of Broken Hearts rocked a bit more but hardly anybody knows of it, unless you have the 45. Some people say his sexuality may have robbed him of being remembered better more but Sony Music indifference of Ray has pretty much kept him out of the spotlight, save for 2 best ofs that are out there. Side Note; The Paths Of Paradise that's on the High Drama album is a 1951 outtake with the Four Lads backing him up on vocals. This Joe Reisman arranged song is a bit more pop contemporary. But you'll never hear it on the radio.
7. Pledge Of Love-Mitchell Torok (Decca 9-30230) #25 1957
The only charting single for Decca Records for Torok who recorded for them for five years. He had better charting luck with Guyden Records with Caribbean, which was actually done for Abbott Records. B side What's Behind The Strange Door is interesting for it was written by Don Reid, later of the Statler Brothers fame. In future bargain hunts I'll be on the lookout for Mitchell's Decca sides, which are quite hard to find since this single was the first Decca single from him I found. This record is in mint condition. No scratchy sounds or pops or clicks. Pretty nifty for a sixty year old 45.
8. Left Right Out Of Your Heart-Patti Page (Mercury 71331) #9 1958
She eventually would go country later in the 60s but she's still into the pop side of things on this song, based on a drum pattern or the call and respond of the background singers. Mort Garson, schlockmaster to the stars (Guy Mitchell comes to mind) co wrote this number. B side Longing To Hold You Again has Patti overdubbing her vocals a few times, one of the earliest numbers ever to employ this technique. It also reveals Page going to a slightly more country sound, tho it still is in early rock mode. I think.
9. Dancing In The Dark-Tommy Dorsey (Decca 9-27429) 1951
Part of a four 7 inch box set album, this was found at the Grab and Go St. Vincent De Paul. and I'm surprised how well this 45 sounds, it had the record sleeve and perhaps it was put out on the racks. Basically when you have many folks going through these records at junk shops you figure they would be trashed. Warren Covington would take over Dorsey's big band after Dorsey passed away in 1956. Both sides are smooth playing from the smoothest trombone player ever. That would be Tommy.
10. Coming On Strong-Brenda Lee (Decca 32018) #11 1966
11. Broken Trust-Brenda Lee/Oak Ridge Boys (MCA 41322) 1980
A tale of two singles from the same artist. I think Coming On Strong is Brenda trying for the Petula Clark sound (it might have been recorded in England) but then again further research revealed that the song recorded in England was Is It True?, to which Jimmy Page played guitar on that song. Coming On Strong does sound like Brenda going for that Pet Clark sound. I like the song. Side Note: The record I found has the title and artist upside down. Usually the Decca logo is on the left side of the label. This copy has the Decca imprint on the right side.
Broken Trust was the meeting of Brenda and the Oak Ridge Boys. The Boys were riding high and Brenda was barely getting by on MCA so Ron Chancey thought pairing them up would be a good idea. Too bad Ron didn't give her a decent song to do it. B side Right Behind The Rain is a failed attempt to go dance pop.
12. You'll Never Know-Jim Reeves (RCA PB-10418) #71 Country 1975
From beyond the grave Jim Reeves did had success on the charts, this lush ballad stalled at number 71 but it sounds more at home on a muzak station rather than country. B side There's That Smile Again is just as lush but this time Anita Kerr Singers adds their trademark vocals. A perfect example of the Nashville Sound that RCA was famous for. For better or worse.
13. All Of Me-Gogi Grant (Era 45-1053) 1957
14. It's A Wonderful Thing To Be Loved-Gogi Grant (RCA 47-6996) 1957
15. Bonjour Tristesse-Gogi Grant (RCA 47-7146) 1958
16. My Secret Prayer-Gogi Grant (RCA 47-7215) 1958
These four 45s didn't chart at all. In fact, while looking up the discography in 45cat, I couldn't even find My Secret Prayer. The difference between the Era and RCA singles is that the RCA singles are more polished. All Of Me was penned in 1931 in various versions (best known version is Willie Nelson of course). It's A Wonderful Thing shows Gogi going the Musical theater route which is better suited for Julie Andrews, B side That's The Life For Me turns into a pop country number, which is better. My Secret Prayer has Gogi hooking up with Hugo Winterhaller (remember him?) and turns in a passionate performance of My Secret Prayer. B side How Do We Know We Are In Love is more lush pop. If nothing else, Grant remains one of the better torch singers of the 1950s and perhaps if Sony Music had any balls, they would issue The Essential Gogi Grant. However, the better known sides were recorded for ERA, The Wayward Wind returned to the top 50 in 1961. Final thought, Bonjour Tristesse is dark but sweet melancholy ballad. Chinese Nightingale, the B side, another lush torch ballad. The three RCA singles were found at St Vincent De Paul Williamson store, all in like new shape except My Secret Prayer which didn't have a record sleeve.
They all played great. But nobody cares about Gogi Grant any more.
17. Round Every Corner-Petula Clark (Warner Bros 5661) #21 1965
Just when I thought that I played every single that I got from Madison I overlooked this Pet Clark number. This is during the Tony Hatch era, she has been around for a few years before hooking up with Tony to have the number 1 hit Downtown which Pet Clark will be forever known. The lesser known songs such as Round Every Corner will be put way back in the forgotten singles of the 60s but it does hold up very well. B side Two Rivers is a Pet Clark written song, more of a torch song, but it doesn't hold my interest much. Petula continues to record into the 2000's making a couple of very good albums for Sony Music/The End label. Hard to find unless you're sleep walking through the dollar bins.
So that's the pop side of Madison finds. Next time we meet up, the rock sides. More surprises in store.
1. Fever-Earl Grant (Decca 9-30475) 1957
I've known Grant better as a light jazz artist (Beyond The Reef) but Grant made a career being on Decca is a jazz/pop piano player but on this cover of the Little Willie John song, Grant goes for a jazzy pop sound, including organ to counter the piano playing, and a bit of sax too. Hardly anybody remembers this and at this point in time, I doubt nobody will, not the smart phone generation. The B side Malaguena is a cha cha number, the product of the times, till Grant speeds it up and adds extreme organ at the end. Ole!
2. Danger! Heartbreak Ahead-Jaye P. Morgan (RCA 47-6016) #12 1955
I admired her duets with Eddy Arnold enough to take a chance on a couple of her solo 45's but come to find she was in the line of Doris Day in 50's pop. She can be brash and sassy, certainly a more stronger voice but the material presented on this record is more muzak pop to my liking and perhaps Hugo Winterhaller is to be blamed for such banal arranging. Softly Softly, the other side, I could tolerate about a half minute before moving on to something else. Think I'll stick with the Eddy Arnold duets thank you.
3. Do You Mind?-Andy Williams (Cadence 1381) #70 1960
One of the kings of the muzak pop scene was Andy Williams but during his Cadence years he would actually ventured into a bit more sunny pop than blah pop, the latter you would get plenty of it when he switched to Columbia and a long 35 year career on that label before Andy went to Atco for a 1986 standards album. A bit more uptempo than you would think on Do You Mind, this song probably did better on the easy listening chart. The B side Dreamsville comes from the Mr. Lucky album and written by Henry Mancini, which reminds me.....
4. Mr. Lucky-Henry Mancini (RCA 47-7705) #21 1960
The first top twenty five single from Mr. Mancini, who could write some decent soundtrack music (Peter Gunn anybody?). This song is considered one of those "space age bathelor pad" jazz music that did find its way to such compilations when Esquvel was discovered in the late 90s and had a few of his albums reissued on CD. But I think people have outgrown that music once again. Mancini could write some mysterious and dark music (The Blues) before going full movie muzak with Days Of Wine And Roses (which has the Peter Gunn Theme on the B side). B side Floating Pad is a more darker comp and preferable to these ears.
5. I Don't Want To Set The World On Fire-Frankie Laine (ABC 45-11057) 1968
I found the infamous ABC/Tangerine label of this song. Tangerine was Ray Charles' label when he was recording for ABC Paramount and Frankie was part of ABC Records, not Tangerine. It's a curio to find this single, to which collectors have on their list of 45s to get. Frankie had a long career with Columbia and then Mercury. The ABC years are considered to be one of Laine's high points. Bob Thiele produced most of those ABC sessions, tho' getting schlockmaster Peter D'Angelos (famous for Frankie Avalon and Fabian's sides for Chancellor Records) didn't help much. Ray Barr arranged the b side I Found You, but it's Laine's vocals that make this song. Now if I can find a decent copy of Dammit Isn't God's Last Name....
6. Paths Of Paradise-Johnnie Ray (Columbia 4-40435) 1955
One of forgotten voices of the 1950's Johnnie Ray is considered to be one of the forefathers of rock and roll, he certainly was the most passionate of vocalists out there. This song did managed to make it on a retrospective CD and it's a fairly good number but the B side Parade Of Broken Hearts rocked a bit more but hardly anybody knows of it, unless you have the 45. Some people say his sexuality may have robbed him of being remembered better more but Sony Music indifference of Ray has pretty much kept him out of the spotlight, save for 2 best ofs that are out there. Side Note; The Paths Of Paradise that's on the High Drama album is a 1951 outtake with the Four Lads backing him up on vocals. This Joe Reisman arranged song is a bit more pop contemporary. But you'll never hear it on the radio.
7. Pledge Of Love-Mitchell Torok (Decca 9-30230) #25 1957
The only charting single for Decca Records for Torok who recorded for them for five years. He had better charting luck with Guyden Records with Caribbean, which was actually done for Abbott Records. B side What's Behind The Strange Door is interesting for it was written by Don Reid, later of the Statler Brothers fame. In future bargain hunts I'll be on the lookout for Mitchell's Decca sides, which are quite hard to find since this single was the first Decca single from him I found. This record is in mint condition. No scratchy sounds or pops or clicks. Pretty nifty for a sixty year old 45.
8. Left Right Out Of Your Heart-Patti Page (Mercury 71331) #9 1958
She eventually would go country later in the 60s but she's still into the pop side of things on this song, based on a drum pattern or the call and respond of the background singers. Mort Garson, schlockmaster to the stars (Guy Mitchell comes to mind) co wrote this number. B side Longing To Hold You Again has Patti overdubbing her vocals a few times, one of the earliest numbers ever to employ this technique. It also reveals Page going to a slightly more country sound, tho it still is in early rock mode. I think.
9. Dancing In The Dark-Tommy Dorsey (Decca 9-27429) 1951
Part of a four 7 inch box set album, this was found at the Grab and Go St. Vincent De Paul. and I'm surprised how well this 45 sounds, it had the record sleeve and perhaps it was put out on the racks. Basically when you have many folks going through these records at junk shops you figure they would be trashed. Warren Covington would take over Dorsey's big band after Dorsey passed away in 1956. Both sides are smooth playing from the smoothest trombone player ever. That would be Tommy.
10. Coming On Strong-Brenda Lee (Decca 32018) #11 1966
11. Broken Trust-Brenda Lee/Oak Ridge Boys (MCA 41322) 1980
A tale of two singles from the same artist. I think Coming On Strong is Brenda trying for the Petula Clark sound (it might have been recorded in England) but then again further research revealed that the song recorded in England was Is It True?, to which Jimmy Page played guitar on that song. Coming On Strong does sound like Brenda going for that Pet Clark sound. I like the song. Side Note: The record I found has the title and artist upside down. Usually the Decca logo is on the left side of the label. This copy has the Decca imprint on the right side.
Broken Trust was the meeting of Brenda and the Oak Ridge Boys. The Boys were riding high and Brenda was barely getting by on MCA so Ron Chancey thought pairing them up would be a good idea. Too bad Ron didn't give her a decent song to do it. B side Right Behind The Rain is a failed attempt to go dance pop.
12. You'll Never Know-Jim Reeves (RCA PB-10418) #71 Country 1975
From beyond the grave Jim Reeves did had success on the charts, this lush ballad stalled at number 71 but it sounds more at home on a muzak station rather than country. B side There's That Smile Again is just as lush but this time Anita Kerr Singers adds their trademark vocals. A perfect example of the Nashville Sound that RCA was famous for. For better or worse.
13. All Of Me-Gogi Grant (Era 45-1053) 1957
14. It's A Wonderful Thing To Be Loved-Gogi Grant (RCA 47-6996) 1957
15. Bonjour Tristesse-Gogi Grant (RCA 47-7146) 1958
16. My Secret Prayer-Gogi Grant (RCA 47-7215) 1958
These four 45s didn't chart at all. In fact, while looking up the discography in 45cat, I couldn't even find My Secret Prayer. The difference between the Era and RCA singles is that the RCA singles are more polished. All Of Me was penned in 1931 in various versions (best known version is Willie Nelson of course). It's A Wonderful Thing shows Gogi going the Musical theater route which is better suited for Julie Andrews, B side That's The Life For Me turns into a pop country number, which is better. My Secret Prayer has Gogi hooking up with Hugo Winterhaller (remember him?) and turns in a passionate performance of My Secret Prayer. B side How Do We Know We Are In Love is more lush pop. If nothing else, Grant remains one of the better torch singers of the 1950s and perhaps if Sony Music had any balls, they would issue The Essential Gogi Grant. However, the better known sides were recorded for ERA, The Wayward Wind returned to the top 50 in 1961. Final thought, Bonjour Tristesse is dark but sweet melancholy ballad. Chinese Nightingale, the B side, another lush torch ballad. The three RCA singles were found at St Vincent De Paul Williamson store, all in like new shape except My Secret Prayer which didn't have a record sleeve.
They all played great. But nobody cares about Gogi Grant any more.
17. Round Every Corner-Petula Clark (Warner Bros 5661) #21 1965
Just when I thought that I played every single that I got from Madison I overlooked this Pet Clark number. This is during the Tony Hatch era, she has been around for a few years before hooking up with Tony to have the number 1 hit Downtown which Pet Clark will be forever known. The lesser known songs such as Round Every Corner will be put way back in the forgotten singles of the 60s but it does hold up very well. B side Two Rivers is a Pet Clark written song, more of a torch song, but it doesn't hold my interest much. Petula continues to record into the 2000's making a couple of very good albums for Sony Music/The End label. Hard to find unless you're sleep walking through the dollar bins.
So that's the pop side of Madison finds. Next time we meet up, the rock sides. More surprises in store.
Tuesday, September 24, 2019
The Final Bargain Hunt: Madison
It's been over a year since I have gone to Madison in search of music and records. Last time I took part in the third and final World Naked Bike Ride Day I would do. It would be 15 months before I came back.
Being stuck with a sinus issue all summer was part of the reason why I didn't go, but with fall processing coming up and winter too, I decided if I didn't go this week, then I wouldn't go at all. Still dealing with hacking and coughing issues, I packed my suitcase and took off. And that was the start of the Madison Bargain Hunts.
Road construction? Of course, mostly inside Wisconsin past Mineral Point and there was two lane between there and Ridgeway. And the big mess on Verona Road leading into Madison. A short cut took me right into that mess, no thanks to a five minute long red light and congesting traffic. Somehow I found the right road that took me to the west side Goodwill. The west side Goodwill seems to have a better selection of CDs more than the North Goodwill, a couple places down from the hotel and the third Goodwill, next to Wal Mart on Roundabout Hell Rd was ignored. Frugal Muse and both Pre Played stores were bypassed, The Muse is moving to a new place and Pre Played still has a good selection but they have bullish on inflating the price of CDs and 45s. Sugar Shack's inventory is more into records and the last time I was there, the 45s department had way too many scratched up ones than good. Perhaps I should have visited them since I haven't been there in over 4 years. It was easier to go to Mad City Music X and I spent four hours in two days turning their 45 selection upside down. They were the most reasonably priced and they did have plenty of quarter 45s for me to take home. I also found five 45s that my mom had when she was younger that I picked up and a couple of 2 dollar stuff as well. Strictly Discs had plenty of 45s but they were a bit more expensive but I did buy a 45 storage box so they didn't feel left out. I bought CDs there instead, including A Can Of Bees from the Soft Boys and a couple of 4.99 specials. St. Vincent De paul on Williamson street had plenty of 45s as well. The big winner was Gogi Grant as I found 3 RCA 45s and one from ERA from her. The St Vincent De Paul on Osana Rd wasn't visited, they don't have 45s in my time of going there but the Park St, Grab and Go had three pop standards singles and a Urban Cowboy CD I got for 1.50 total. The Grab and Go St Vincent De Paul had 45s, mostly scratched up beyond belief but the ABC Tangerine mistake Frankie Laine 45, I basically picked up. Frankie never recorded for Ray Charles' Tangerine label.
Weatherwise, it was beautiful but State Street continues to go down in quality. What used to be a nice hangout for shops and music stores have become a place where homeless folks roam and beg for money. Mostly black guys that came up to me to ask for change (10 of them) but a white woman also was begging to, perhaps she was the most needy. The trick was to keep walking and don't even look at them. And this was in the afternoon, God forbid if I should be down there at night where the drunkards get into fights and the change chasers get aggressive. Still a lot of nice looking co ed's down in the college district, tho me being 30 years older than any of them didn't help the things. I certainly wasn't getting lucky any time soon. Unlike Cedar Rapids, you can still rent a bike with a credit card at the kiosks that have the bikes, but they upgraded them to electric bikes. I suppose in the future I should invest in a smart phone but in reality I still don't need one, unless ordering a pizza.
A lot of empty buildings are all around, thanks to Shopko closing their doors, Copps leaving Whitney Way and Menards vacating the location next the East Towne Mall. 10 years ago, Pawn America replaced Circuit City and was one of the main destinations for me for cheap Cds and sometimes cymbals. On this trip, they're moving somewhere else and while they have 75 percent off, I didn't find anything. They quit selling CDs about four years ago. Hard to believe I found 36 of them in one trip. And also Big Lots got replaced by an Over 21 on the other side of town.
The Half Price Bookstore on the west side was the hang out place for me. They seem to have better CDs than the east side. And it has been that way for the last three visits. Certainly both places didn't have much in the 3 dollar bins. Best place remains the Marion Half Price Bookstore.
I stuck to the usual food places tho the Pho King Good Noodle place (where Wau Kee used to be) I'd love to visit the next time I'm in Madison. But everything I ate came back to haunt me a half hour later. Rocky Rocco, Pizza Hut, Hardee's were the place and I couldn't find a Italian place till it was too late. I stayed at The Microtel Monday Night and got rewarded with a total of two hours of sleep. Which made going home interesting since I couldn't find a Speedway or 7-11 that had sweet tea. I finally stopped at a truck stop and picked up a bottle of Nestea. And thankfully I made it home before the storm hit a hour later.
If this is the final bargain hunt (as I have threatened the past decade) I think it was a good haul. I think I'm more comfortable going to Dubuque and hang at Moondog Music, since they're closer. However, the folks at Mad City Music X and Strictly Disc will be sending things via email to let me know if somebody drops off more 45s from estate sales and people running out of room at their place. It's a shame that my body just have issues that prevent me to do this more often.
It was 25 years ago in 1994, that I discovered Madison on a whim and it took me a good ten more years to figure out how to get around town. In this time, I've seen the good and the bad and the ugly but in the end I always managed to find records and CDs. I spent more time in that town than I ever did going to Des Moines but Madison is closer and easy to get around town. Des Moines is not. Perhaps in due time, I'll chance going to our capitol. But at this moment, it's not high on my list of places to go to.
Being stuck with a sinus issue all summer was part of the reason why I didn't go, but with fall processing coming up and winter too, I decided if I didn't go this week, then I wouldn't go at all. Still dealing with hacking and coughing issues, I packed my suitcase and took off. And that was the start of the Madison Bargain Hunts.
Road construction? Of course, mostly inside Wisconsin past Mineral Point and there was two lane between there and Ridgeway. And the big mess on Verona Road leading into Madison. A short cut took me right into that mess, no thanks to a five minute long red light and congesting traffic. Somehow I found the right road that took me to the west side Goodwill. The west side Goodwill seems to have a better selection of CDs more than the North Goodwill, a couple places down from the hotel and the third Goodwill, next to Wal Mart on Roundabout Hell Rd was ignored. Frugal Muse and both Pre Played stores were bypassed, The Muse is moving to a new place and Pre Played still has a good selection but they have bullish on inflating the price of CDs and 45s. Sugar Shack's inventory is more into records and the last time I was there, the 45s department had way too many scratched up ones than good. Perhaps I should have visited them since I haven't been there in over 4 years. It was easier to go to Mad City Music X and I spent four hours in two days turning their 45 selection upside down. They were the most reasonably priced and they did have plenty of quarter 45s for me to take home. I also found five 45s that my mom had when she was younger that I picked up and a couple of 2 dollar stuff as well. Strictly Discs had plenty of 45s but they were a bit more expensive but I did buy a 45 storage box so they didn't feel left out. I bought CDs there instead, including A Can Of Bees from the Soft Boys and a couple of 4.99 specials. St. Vincent De paul on Williamson street had plenty of 45s as well. The big winner was Gogi Grant as I found 3 RCA 45s and one from ERA from her. The St Vincent De Paul on Osana Rd wasn't visited, they don't have 45s in my time of going there but the Park St, Grab and Go had three pop standards singles and a Urban Cowboy CD I got for 1.50 total. The Grab and Go St Vincent De Paul had 45s, mostly scratched up beyond belief but the ABC Tangerine mistake Frankie Laine 45, I basically picked up. Frankie never recorded for Ray Charles' Tangerine label.
Weatherwise, it was beautiful but State Street continues to go down in quality. What used to be a nice hangout for shops and music stores have become a place where homeless folks roam and beg for money. Mostly black guys that came up to me to ask for change (10 of them) but a white woman also was begging to, perhaps she was the most needy. The trick was to keep walking and don't even look at them. And this was in the afternoon, God forbid if I should be down there at night where the drunkards get into fights and the change chasers get aggressive. Still a lot of nice looking co ed's down in the college district, tho me being 30 years older than any of them didn't help the things. I certainly wasn't getting lucky any time soon. Unlike Cedar Rapids, you can still rent a bike with a credit card at the kiosks that have the bikes, but they upgraded them to electric bikes. I suppose in the future I should invest in a smart phone but in reality I still don't need one, unless ordering a pizza.
A lot of empty buildings are all around, thanks to Shopko closing their doors, Copps leaving Whitney Way and Menards vacating the location next the East Towne Mall. 10 years ago, Pawn America replaced Circuit City and was one of the main destinations for me for cheap Cds and sometimes cymbals. On this trip, they're moving somewhere else and while they have 75 percent off, I didn't find anything. They quit selling CDs about four years ago. Hard to believe I found 36 of them in one trip. And also Big Lots got replaced by an Over 21 on the other side of town.
The Half Price Bookstore on the west side was the hang out place for me. They seem to have better CDs than the east side. And it has been that way for the last three visits. Certainly both places didn't have much in the 3 dollar bins. Best place remains the Marion Half Price Bookstore.
I stuck to the usual food places tho the Pho King Good Noodle place (where Wau Kee used to be) I'd love to visit the next time I'm in Madison. But everything I ate came back to haunt me a half hour later. Rocky Rocco, Pizza Hut, Hardee's were the place and I couldn't find a Italian place till it was too late. I stayed at The Microtel Monday Night and got rewarded with a total of two hours of sleep. Which made going home interesting since I couldn't find a Speedway or 7-11 that had sweet tea. I finally stopped at a truck stop and picked up a bottle of Nestea. And thankfully I made it home before the storm hit a hour later.
If this is the final bargain hunt (as I have threatened the past decade) I think it was a good haul. I think I'm more comfortable going to Dubuque and hang at Moondog Music, since they're closer. However, the folks at Mad City Music X and Strictly Disc will be sending things via email to let me know if somebody drops off more 45s from estate sales and people running out of room at their place. It's a shame that my body just have issues that prevent me to do this more often.
It was 25 years ago in 1994, that I discovered Madison on a whim and it took me a good ten more years to figure out how to get around town. In this time, I've seen the good and the bad and the ugly but in the end I always managed to find records and CDs. I spent more time in that town than I ever did going to Des Moines but Madison is closer and easy to get around town. Des Moines is not. Perhaps in due time, I'll chance going to our capitol. But at this moment, it's not high on my list of places to go to.
Thursday, August 22, 2019
Singles Going Steady 57-Moondog Music Take 2
Moondog Music called and said they found a couple of new boxes of forty fives. Here's what I found.
1) Run Run Run-The Gestures (Soma 1417) #44 1964
In the mist of Beatlemania, came this minor hit single from the teenage band from Mankato recording for the Minneapolis based Soma Records, home of The Fendermen I believe. A bit more refined than the Chartbusters' She's The One but the collective coolness of Run Run Run does foretell the future of The Castaways Liar Liar. Nothing special about the B side It Seems To Me.
2) Armen's Theme-Ross Bagdasarian (Liberty F-55462) 1962
An updated version, the original was made in 1956, this one was more big band and pop. Ross was trying to take a break from recordings he was doing with The Chipmunks and David Seville. He was very good arranger and composer as this track suggested. B Side Russian Roulette is the product of the time all the way down to the jazzy sounds of the chorus. Silly fun.
3) Stardust-Nino Tempo & April Stevens (Atco 45-6256) #32 1964
One of the early singles I had in my collection but did find a replacement. A big dust clod on the hit side. A cool update of the big band standard but I bought it for the B side 1:45, which didn't make the album, nor CD. Took me fifty years to find a decent replacement. I also like this one better than Deep Purple.
4) Give Them My Number-Rick Nelson (Capitol B-8178) 1982
The end of Rick Nelson. The last Capitol single, which was supposed to be for a new album but since sales of Playing To Win were poor, Capitol cut their losses. It's more country than rock, but it was too rock for country. I was one of the few that did buy Playing To Win and I thought it was a pretty good album. Give Them My Number is no different than any of the country rock songs from his Decca/MCA years but like that label, Capitol didn't promote it. B side No Fair Falling In Love is more country sounding but probably wouldn't charted over there either. I have to say that Moondog Music has a lot of Rick Nelson 45's, over 50 different titles from the 50s up to this single. Perhaps in the future we'll continue to explore Nelson's lesser known songs. He has plenty of them.
5) Never Be Lonely-The New Colony Six (MCA-40215) 1974
Long Time To Be Alone Charted at #93 at Twilight 1004
Confusion time. 45 Cat lists this as the A side but the B side Long Time To Be Alone can be found on the Rhino best of, which has been out of print for a while. It came out in 1971 after Roll On, but MCA reissued it in 1974 and only God knows why. Long Time To Be Alone is the typical NC6 balladry that they started with I Will Always Think About You and had some success with other like minded singles. How MCA decided to reissue this remains a mystery upon itself. A safe pop rock ballad. And I do like Long Time To Be Alone better.
6) Love Hurts-Jim Capaldi (Island IS-045) #97 1975
I prefer this version over Nazareth from the beginning. While the latter band made it a dark and paranoid ballad, Jim went more toward a pop disco. That's Gerry Conway trying out his china cymbals on the accent. I'm disappointed the record sounds a bit scratchy, it's been one of my sought after 45s. B side Sugar Honey is a rockabilly number not sounding alike Dave Edmunds. It does sound like Albert Lee playing guitar. Which is a plus. Of coure, somebody overdubs some screaming girls at the end of the song. YAY!
7) Lamplight-David Essex (Columbia 4-46041) #71 1974
KLWW played this more in 1975 than in 1974 when it peaked. One of the more oddball songs in that time, a bit of a departure then Rock On with the novelty horns at the middle and end of the song. For a jukebox 45 it does play better than I thought it would, especially from a Columbia single. B side We All Insane, is glam rock I think including drum solo.
8) Drums-Jon & Robin (Abnak AB-122) #100 1967
Being the music audiophile I have to find their second of three top 100 singles for Abnak. Drums is written by Wayne Carson Thompson (Soul Deep, Jon The Medicine Man), and no it didn't do as well as their first hit Do It Again (a little shower), it did cling to the number 100 spot for two weeks. Perhaps Abnak should have gone with the B side You Don't Care, tho' it does sound like clumsy Byrds. Still fun to hear. Jon and Robin did record 12 singles for Abnak. Perhaps Sundazed should consider putting out a best of?
9) Respectable-The Outsiders (Capitol 5701) #15 1966
It's hard to decide who did the best version of this song, The Chants, Isley Brothers and even The Yardbirds but I always like The Outsiders' version since I was more familiar with it. In the final listening, The Chants win out by a hair. If only oldies radio could play all three versions. B side Lost In My World is more in tune with Time Won't Let Me, but not as inspired. But we do miss Tom King, and Sonny Gerasi too.
10) Let Me Belong To You-Brian Hyland (ABC Paramount 10236) #20 1961
Well it's been a while since we found any Hyland 45s to take home. Actually I did come across two Dot Singles a couple weeks ago but found them a bit too scratched up to buy. But what's another ABC Paramount single in the collection? Brian remains one of the better teen idols of the 60s, he wasn't too sugary sweet as Frankie Avalon or as cornball as Bobby Rydell. Love the line tie me down and make me your slave, that was kinda testing the censors back in 1961. B side Let It Die! rocks harder than that pop sound that Stan Applebaum lays on the arrangements. What's with that tweety bird singing chick singer on the bridge? Note the Bo Diddley homage at the end.
11) Tearing Us Apart-Eric Clapton/Tina Turner (Duck/WB 7-28279) 1986
This didn't chart? Strange how everything Phil Collins touches did turn into top 40 magic, but for Slowhand and Tina on board. Probably didn't help that the song sounded more like a throwaway, with Phil Collins borrowing Gerry Conway's china cymbal. In typical fashtion this is single edit that fades after the final chorus. Alas, you get the full 4:55 of Hold On, one of those boring ballads that E.C. is famous for. Course that 80s dated Collins production doesn't help either. This record is a bit warped but does play without skips.
12) I Found Someone Of My Own-Free Movement (Decca 32818) #5 1971
I think this got mentioned in a previous blog but the record found was scratchy and didn't play worth a shit, so...SURPRISE..I found another copy. Maybe one of these days I will find Cal Smith's version that charted pretty high on the country charts. It's a soul ballad from The Free Movement but sounds more at home on the country side with Cal Smith. A weird note: while this single came out on Decca, the album was issued on Columbia who issued the follow up single The Harder I Try, which made it to number 50. I Can't Convince My Heart is a bit more uptempo soul. Second hand soul but like New York City and their I'm Doing Fine Now album, The Free Movement had some inspired moments. This record played much better than the one I had to donate back to Goodwill.
13) One Piece Topless Bathing Suit-The Rip Chords (Columbia 4-43093) #96 1964
The fun thing about going through the Moondog Records box of 45s is how much oddball stuff I have found for a dollar, most have seen better days but once in a while I could find something that still sounds decent despite the age of the record and how many times it's been played. This was the Rip Chords last top 100 single, which peaked at 96. And it was written by Steve Barri and P F Sloan (with D altfield). but it is Barri/Sloan on B Side Wah Wahini, basically a Jan and Dean knockoff. The Rip Chords were Bruce and Terry (Bruce Johnston and Terry Melcher) who would go on to bigger and better things, as well as Barri and Sloan.
14) Long Tall Sally-Little Richard (Specialty 572) #6 1956
It's a reissue but hey, it's Little Richard. And that's all right by me. Usually the original Specialty 45s have their grooves off and very pricey. Still it's vintage Little Richard, maybe the real king of rock and roll. B Side is Slippin and Slidin'. Of course that's Earl Palmer on drums. The best session drummer ever says Mr. Penniman. He should know.
As always, thanks to the wonderful folks at Moondog Music for continuing to contribute to the Singles Going Steady series of the past couple months. For all the latest in records, cds and other cool stuff, Please visit Moondog Music at 806 Wacker Drive in Dubuque.
1) Run Run Run-The Gestures (Soma 1417) #44 1964
In the mist of Beatlemania, came this minor hit single from the teenage band from Mankato recording for the Minneapolis based Soma Records, home of The Fendermen I believe. A bit more refined than the Chartbusters' She's The One but the collective coolness of Run Run Run does foretell the future of The Castaways Liar Liar. Nothing special about the B side It Seems To Me.
2) Armen's Theme-Ross Bagdasarian (Liberty F-55462) 1962
An updated version, the original was made in 1956, this one was more big band and pop. Ross was trying to take a break from recordings he was doing with The Chipmunks and David Seville. He was very good arranger and composer as this track suggested. B Side Russian Roulette is the product of the time all the way down to the jazzy sounds of the chorus. Silly fun.
3) Stardust-Nino Tempo & April Stevens (Atco 45-6256) #32 1964
One of the early singles I had in my collection but did find a replacement. A big dust clod on the hit side. A cool update of the big band standard but I bought it for the B side 1:45, which didn't make the album, nor CD. Took me fifty years to find a decent replacement. I also like this one better than Deep Purple.
4) Give Them My Number-Rick Nelson (Capitol B-8178) 1982
The end of Rick Nelson. The last Capitol single, which was supposed to be for a new album but since sales of Playing To Win were poor, Capitol cut their losses. It's more country than rock, but it was too rock for country. I was one of the few that did buy Playing To Win and I thought it was a pretty good album. Give Them My Number is no different than any of the country rock songs from his Decca/MCA years but like that label, Capitol didn't promote it. B side No Fair Falling In Love is more country sounding but probably wouldn't charted over there either. I have to say that Moondog Music has a lot of Rick Nelson 45's, over 50 different titles from the 50s up to this single. Perhaps in the future we'll continue to explore Nelson's lesser known songs. He has plenty of them.
5) Never Be Lonely-The New Colony Six (MCA-40215) 1974
Long Time To Be Alone Charted at #93 at Twilight 1004
Confusion time. 45 Cat lists this as the A side but the B side Long Time To Be Alone can be found on the Rhino best of, which has been out of print for a while. It came out in 1971 after Roll On, but MCA reissued it in 1974 and only God knows why. Long Time To Be Alone is the typical NC6 balladry that they started with I Will Always Think About You and had some success with other like minded singles. How MCA decided to reissue this remains a mystery upon itself. A safe pop rock ballad. And I do like Long Time To Be Alone better.
6) Love Hurts-Jim Capaldi (Island IS-045) #97 1975
I prefer this version over Nazareth from the beginning. While the latter band made it a dark and paranoid ballad, Jim went more toward a pop disco. That's Gerry Conway trying out his china cymbals on the accent. I'm disappointed the record sounds a bit scratchy, it's been one of my sought after 45s. B side Sugar Honey is a rockabilly number not sounding alike Dave Edmunds. It does sound like Albert Lee playing guitar. Which is a plus. Of coure, somebody overdubs some screaming girls at the end of the song. YAY!
7) Lamplight-David Essex (Columbia 4-46041) #71 1974
KLWW played this more in 1975 than in 1974 when it peaked. One of the more oddball songs in that time, a bit of a departure then Rock On with the novelty horns at the middle and end of the song. For a jukebox 45 it does play better than I thought it would, especially from a Columbia single. B side We All Insane, is glam rock I think including drum solo.
8) Drums-Jon & Robin (Abnak AB-122) #100 1967
Being the music audiophile I have to find their second of three top 100 singles for Abnak. Drums is written by Wayne Carson Thompson (Soul Deep, Jon The Medicine Man), and no it didn't do as well as their first hit Do It Again (a little shower), it did cling to the number 100 spot for two weeks. Perhaps Abnak should have gone with the B side You Don't Care, tho' it does sound like clumsy Byrds. Still fun to hear. Jon and Robin did record 12 singles for Abnak. Perhaps Sundazed should consider putting out a best of?
9) Respectable-The Outsiders (Capitol 5701) #15 1966
It's hard to decide who did the best version of this song, The Chants, Isley Brothers and even The Yardbirds but I always like The Outsiders' version since I was more familiar with it. In the final listening, The Chants win out by a hair. If only oldies radio could play all three versions. B side Lost In My World is more in tune with Time Won't Let Me, but not as inspired. But we do miss Tom King, and Sonny Gerasi too.
10) Let Me Belong To You-Brian Hyland (ABC Paramount 10236) #20 1961
Well it's been a while since we found any Hyland 45s to take home. Actually I did come across two Dot Singles a couple weeks ago but found them a bit too scratched up to buy. But what's another ABC Paramount single in the collection? Brian remains one of the better teen idols of the 60s, he wasn't too sugary sweet as Frankie Avalon or as cornball as Bobby Rydell. Love the line tie me down and make me your slave, that was kinda testing the censors back in 1961. B side Let It Die! rocks harder than that pop sound that Stan Applebaum lays on the arrangements. What's with that tweety bird singing chick singer on the bridge? Note the Bo Diddley homage at the end.
11) Tearing Us Apart-Eric Clapton/Tina Turner (Duck/WB 7-28279) 1986
This didn't chart? Strange how everything Phil Collins touches did turn into top 40 magic, but for Slowhand and Tina on board. Probably didn't help that the song sounded more like a throwaway, with Phil Collins borrowing Gerry Conway's china cymbal. In typical fashtion this is single edit that fades after the final chorus. Alas, you get the full 4:55 of Hold On, one of those boring ballads that E.C. is famous for. Course that 80s dated Collins production doesn't help either. This record is a bit warped but does play without skips.
12) I Found Someone Of My Own-Free Movement (Decca 32818) #5 1971
I think this got mentioned in a previous blog but the record found was scratchy and didn't play worth a shit, so...SURPRISE..I found another copy. Maybe one of these days I will find Cal Smith's version that charted pretty high on the country charts. It's a soul ballad from The Free Movement but sounds more at home on the country side with Cal Smith. A weird note: while this single came out on Decca, the album was issued on Columbia who issued the follow up single The Harder I Try, which made it to number 50. I Can't Convince My Heart is a bit more uptempo soul. Second hand soul but like New York City and their I'm Doing Fine Now album, The Free Movement had some inspired moments. This record played much better than the one I had to donate back to Goodwill.
13) One Piece Topless Bathing Suit-The Rip Chords (Columbia 4-43093) #96 1964
The fun thing about going through the Moondog Records box of 45s is how much oddball stuff I have found for a dollar, most have seen better days but once in a while I could find something that still sounds decent despite the age of the record and how many times it's been played. This was the Rip Chords last top 100 single, which peaked at 96. And it was written by Steve Barri and P F Sloan (with D altfield). but it is Barri/Sloan on B Side Wah Wahini, basically a Jan and Dean knockoff. The Rip Chords were Bruce and Terry (Bruce Johnston and Terry Melcher) who would go on to bigger and better things, as well as Barri and Sloan.
14) Long Tall Sally-Little Richard (Specialty 572) #6 1956
It's a reissue but hey, it's Little Richard. And that's all right by me. Usually the original Specialty 45s have their grooves off and very pricey. Still it's vintage Little Richard, maybe the real king of rock and roll. B Side is Slippin and Slidin'. Of course that's Earl Palmer on drums. The best session drummer ever says Mr. Penniman. He should know.
As always, thanks to the wonderful folks at Moondog Music for continuing to contribute to the Singles Going Steady series of the past couple months. For all the latest in records, cds and other cool stuff, Please visit Moondog Music at 806 Wacker Drive in Dubuque.
Tuesday, August 20, 2019
Singles Going Steady 56-More Moondog Records Finds
This summer has been sizzling with amazing finds of forgotten 45s from different places. While I have yet to frequent Madison this year, I managed to do quite well staying close to home from the St Vincent De Paul and Salvation Army stores. For the last three weeks, I have been a regular at the CR SA store and sorting through the same scratched up 45s and thinking I can save a few more, but in reality, the majority of the 45s are in poor shape, and no matter how much I try to clean them up, the majority of them are too far gone. It's sad that I can't clean up Last Night by the Mar Keys, that would have been the find of the week, but then again I can live without Sun Arise by Rolf Harris.
The truth remains, that there's not much turnover for me to continue to hang at the thrift stores since 45s are few and far between, unless they're worn out juke box copies. Bored with the surroundings, it was time to return to Dubuque and see what the thrift stores and Moondog Music had in store. The other record store I haven't been much to, they have outpriced themselves for me to really go in there. In the final overview, chances are that Moondog will retain the number 1 place to go. Wax Estatic in Marshalltown may finally get to see me there but for now I have remained east of Cedar Rapids and probably will do so for some time.
While hanging at Moondog, I found another record collector really combing through the 45 section. He had a pile about 20 to 30 records of varying degree but he did put a couple of them back, to which I picked up. To which he gets special thanks for doing that, but he did snag somebody on Modern Records to which I don't know who the artist was. But I may have overlooked that on my last visit.
With the fifth anniversary of the best 45 finds ever, I'm always compelled to try to find the next batch to be memorable. There are classics in this one, best ever? Well, time will tell.
1) Stormy Weather-The Four Casts (Atlantic 45-2228) 1964
If there's a connection to Ruben And The Jets and The Rivingtons, this would probably be it, tho I doubt Frank Zappa ever heard of The Four Casts. They were from Philadelphia better known as The Ly-Dells and recorded a few sides for various labels and paired with Freddy Cannon on the song Broadway. This is their only Atlantic 45 and this was the single that the dude sorting through them at Moondog passed up. I get a kick out of finding the one off Atlantic singles of the 50s and 60s. The Lone Twister got props from the last blog and we uncovered him as Murray The K Kaufman. These guys, somebody managed to do a bio on them. http://doo-wop.blogg.org/four-casts-c26502672
There was crumbs lodged in the grooves, but a nice bath took care of that and it played without skips.B side Workin' At The Factory is more of a hardcore doo wop number. The Four Casts might have been unknown but these two songs are quite worth seeking out. Stormy Weather can be found on You Tube.
2) Mystery Train-Elvis Presley With Scotty And Bill (RCA 47-6357) 1955
Oh the Sun Sessions, and what begin the rock and roll era. Good luck trying to find the original Sun single, or for that matter the Preview Copy from RCA. My copy is the first generation stock copy and is in fairly decent shape. For a 65 year old Elvis record, I'm impressed that the folks did sell this to me for a dollar. I've seen worse being sold at five to ten dollars. The booby prize of the last Moondog visit gave us Orion, not the same thing at all. Nevertheless, the RCA issue of any Sun recordings are a must buy, Blue Moon was the other Sun Sessions 45 that I found and I think that was from the last Madison visit. I need to go up there soon. The song itself sounds a bit more polished than the rough and tumble Sun version but then again I didn't have the stereo up too loud. I didn't want to wake my brother. This Friday marks the 42 year that Elvis left the world. Somehow I managed to find a Elvis 45 in the process.
3) Gypsy Pilot-Rick Nelson (Decca 32906) 1971
The teen idol become a solid country rock and roller in the early 70s but nobody was buying his singles whatsoever. Rick have a chart placement here and there, beginning with She Belongs To Me (#33) and Easy To Be Free (#48) but this song was ignored. It's really one of Rick's harder rocking numbers about life on the road, but this record might be autobiographical, especially on the final lyric When they claim my body
They won't have much to say
Except that he lived a good life
He lived every day
The Ending has to be heard to be believed.
4) Daisy Mae (And Daisy May Not)-Terri Lane (Monument 8565) 1973 #37 Country
A country 45 that my dad had in his collection and I may have gotten it for him after finding a bunch of old jukebox forty fives. I tend to give the country records to my dad for fear of being ridiculed by my schoolmates, real people don't listen to country, they listen to rock. Bullshit, I have tend to enjoy the songs that Dad used to play, even tho this song is kinda slight, somewhat a lighter Lynn Anderson number.
5) Happy To Be Unhappy-Leroy Van Dyke (Mercury 72198) #54 Country 1964
Written by Bobby Bare, it managed to top some of the local country charts and it's uptempo in the way of Walk On By but it's unremarkable and hasn't stood the test of time. Not that country radio plays it much if at all. Leroy's Mercury songs have been on my record player including scratchy ole favorite How Long Must You Keep Me A Secret. Like Dave Dudley, I tend to buy the Mercury singles if they're in reasonable shape. Even without a record sleeve it does play like new. B side Now I Lay Me Down shows Leroy going toward a more mellower sound. With so so results, tho I give him credit, the song is only 2 minutes long.
6) You Talk Too Much-Frankie Ford (Imperial X-5686) 1960 #87
Frankie benefited from Huey Piano Smith and The Crowns backing him up when he was with Ace Records and moving over to Imperial resulted in some fine New Orleans rock and roll. Once again, Ford lost out to another person in covering songs, this time to Joe Jones who made number 3, while Frankie's toiled down near the bottom. Some say that Ford had the better version had they heard it. B Side If You Got Troubles Frankie co wrote with Huey Smith and does rock.
7) Oh Julie-The Crescendos (Nasco 45-6005) #5 1958
Prime choice rockabilly doo wop that has been featured on a couple of Excello best ofs. In a way reminds me of Gene Vincent's Wear My Ring (don't ask why).
8) Anti-Protest Protest Song-David Winters (Mercury 72537) 1966
Thanks to Bob Dylan, there were plenty of protest songs and parody protest songs. This one escapes me tho', Never heard of it before finding a decent copy at the St Vincent De Paul. Working with Shelby Singleton and Alan Lorber, this is actually a decent pop rock song. Not much is known about Winters, he did record for a few minor singles for minor labels and this was his only Mercury single.
9) I Don't Miss You-Shoes (Elektra E-46598) 1979
The third and final single from Present Tense, Zion Illinois' very own Shoes were too power pop for the radio, Single number 2, Too Late went to number 75 on the charts but radio didn't play them much over here. I'm not sure why I kept passing up on this single over at Moondogs, unless I kept overlooking it, or somebody did bring it in for trade. I Don't Miss You is a bit more harder rocking complete with fuzz guitar. When Real Gone issued a best of, this song didn't make the cut but it can be found on Shoes Best. But Real Gone tacked on B Side In Your Arms Again, which is okay but a bit out of the 3 minute comfort zone. Hmm
10) Gone Long Gone-Chicago (Columbia 3-10935) 1978 #73 (79)
After a long night of scouring for 45s and unlike my record hunting buddy, I didn't dig very deep, I decided to grab something on the way home, Kwik Star had nothing of note so I went over to Taco Bell and hung out with the teenagers, and not one of anybody in that place was born before 2000. Including the help. It begin to dawn on me that perhaps going to Taco Bell at 9 30 at night isn't a good idea if you over 50. Eventually they all cleared out to go hot rod'ing on JFK Drive in DBQ. Which really has nothing to do with this song. The third and final single off Hot Streets, this is Chicago beginning to be taken over by Peter Cetera's vocal work and Donnie Dacus had the tough task of replacing Terry Kath, who lost out to a shotgun. The beginning of the wilderness years? I still like this song, tho the 45 sounds a bit too scratchy for my liking.
11) Brooklyn Roads-Neil Diamond (Uni 55065) #58 1968
The beginning of Neil's Uni career and a song that managed to pop in the top 60. The Velvet Gloves And Spit album is strange Uni debut, including the Pot Smoker's Song. Brooklyn Roads is a sweet ballad that Neil would be famous for later on down the road. Neil's bizarre Holiday Inn Song shows a more playful side shall we say? Kudos to arranger Howard Johnson for this one. *wink*
12) Hey Little Girl-Del Shannon (Big Top 3091) #38 1961
Del may have been a walking contradiction, (Geoff Redding says working with Del was a pleasure, local legend musician Timothy said he was a A hole) but his songs are always been paranoid and tortured, Hey Little Girl is something like Runaway but a bit more optimistic on the chorus tho in this PC age anything with Little Girl in it is frowned upon. Damn republicans anyway. The song isn't as urgent as Runaway was but it's a passable listen. B side I Don't Care Anymore is textbook Shannon songwriting, sounds like it was written for the Everly Brothers. But probably a bit too dark for their liking.
13) MTA-Kingston Trio (Capitol F-4221) #15 1959
Protest music 1959 style. In the years of collecting 45s, The Kingston Trio seem to make their way to the Singles Going Steady Series. This was the third single bought at the St Vincent De Paul (3 for 50 cents). I could have swore I have the Tom Dooley single but have yet to find it, or maybe I donated it back to the thrift store? Certainly the Kingston Trio did make a few duds, but MTA is not one of them. B side is All My Sorrows. Record plays better than the Neil Diamond and Chicago singles.
14) It's Nothing To Me-Jim Reeves (RCA PB-10956) 1977 #14 Country
The last song, comes from my dad's collection, I think I gave this to him when I moved out of the house the first time but I could never locate another copy that wasn't chewed up and so I went back home and found this 45 once again. By then Jim was thirteen years removed from this world, but RCA continued to put out his songs in varied form. Originally from 1960 thereabouts, Bud Logan overdubbed a rock guitar to update the sound. It was chart fairly high on the country charts, even beyond the grave, Reeves still made the country charts, his next seven selection made top 40 country. However the writing was on the wall and after a disappointing number 54 pairing with Patsy Cline's I Fall To Pieces, RCA would issue one more single, the number 70 The Image Of Me in 1984. We're still waiting on a decent best of from RCA on Gentleman Jim.
UPDATE: Five years after the big find, I returned to the Salvation Army Davenport Store and found nothing. They still have a few of the scratchy juke box records from the last couple visits but I went away empty handed. One thrift store had 45s but the only one that looked good Sam The Sham' Oh That's Good No That's Bad I didn't buy. I figured I would get my record player a break from the scratched up wonders I found last month and this month. I didn't go into Illinois to seek out records, but stayed in Davenport and watch the CR Kernels beat the River Bandits in a 6-2 game that took three and a half hours to complete. It was so boring that one of the Kernels outfielder asked me what time it was, I said 9:30. Turns out I was right for a change. The game was three hours and thirty six minutes long.
Fact: Both Austin Shaffer and Felipe Tejada started the July 8th game at the QC which Cedar Rapids won 6-5. On this game, both were relievers Tejada got rocked for 4 runs in the fifth inning and lasted 2/3 of a inning. Attendance of this game was 3,400, tho' most of them left before the 9th inning, to which Josh Winder pitched 6 stellar innings and striking out 9 River Bandits. For the first time I didn't see any home runs by either team this year. In the games I watched of this rivalry, Cedar Rapids won both.
The truth remains, that there's not much turnover for me to continue to hang at the thrift stores since 45s are few and far between, unless they're worn out juke box copies. Bored with the surroundings, it was time to return to Dubuque and see what the thrift stores and Moondog Music had in store. The other record store I haven't been much to, they have outpriced themselves for me to really go in there. In the final overview, chances are that Moondog will retain the number 1 place to go. Wax Estatic in Marshalltown may finally get to see me there but for now I have remained east of Cedar Rapids and probably will do so for some time.
While hanging at Moondog, I found another record collector really combing through the 45 section. He had a pile about 20 to 30 records of varying degree but he did put a couple of them back, to which I picked up. To which he gets special thanks for doing that, but he did snag somebody on Modern Records to which I don't know who the artist was. But I may have overlooked that on my last visit.
With the fifth anniversary of the best 45 finds ever, I'm always compelled to try to find the next batch to be memorable. There are classics in this one, best ever? Well, time will tell.
1) Stormy Weather-The Four Casts (Atlantic 45-2228) 1964
If there's a connection to Ruben And The Jets and The Rivingtons, this would probably be it, tho I doubt Frank Zappa ever heard of The Four Casts. They were from Philadelphia better known as The Ly-Dells and recorded a few sides for various labels and paired with Freddy Cannon on the song Broadway. This is their only Atlantic 45 and this was the single that the dude sorting through them at Moondog passed up. I get a kick out of finding the one off Atlantic singles of the 50s and 60s. The Lone Twister got props from the last blog and we uncovered him as Murray The K Kaufman. These guys, somebody managed to do a bio on them. http://doo-wop.blogg.org/four-casts-c26502672
There was crumbs lodged in the grooves, but a nice bath took care of that and it played without skips.B side Workin' At The Factory is more of a hardcore doo wop number. The Four Casts might have been unknown but these two songs are quite worth seeking out. Stormy Weather can be found on You Tube.
2) Mystery Train-Elvis Presley With Scotty And Bill (RCA 47-6357) 1955
Oh the Sun Sessions, and what begin the rock and roll era. Good luck trying to find the original Sun single, or for that matter the Preview Copy from RCA. My copy is the first generation stock copy and is in fairly decent shape. For a 65 year old Elvis record, I'm impressed that the folks did sell this to me for a dollar. I've seen worse being sold at five to ten dollars. The booby prize of the last Moondog visit gave us Orion, not the same thing at all. Nevertheless, the RCA issue of any Sun recordings are a must buy, Blue Moon was the other Sun Sessions 45 that I found and I think that was from the last Madison visit. I need to go up there soon. The song itself sounds a bit more polished than the rough and tumble Sun version but then again I didn't have the stereo up too loud. I didn't want to wake my brother. This Friday marks the 42 year that Elvis left the world. Somehow I managed to find a Elvis 45 in the process.
3) Gypsy Pilot-Rick Nelson (Decca 32906) 1971
The teen idol become a solid country rock and roller in the early 70s but nobody was buying his singles whatsoever. Rick have a chart placement here and there, beginning with She Belongs To Me (#33) and Easy To Be Free (#48) but this song was ignored. It's really one of Rick's harder rocking numbers about life on the road, but this record might be autobiographical, especially on the final lyric When they claim my body
They won't have much to say
Except that he lived a good life
He lived every day
The Ending has to be heard to be believed.
4) Daisy Mae (And Daisy May Not)-Terri Lane (Monument 8565) 1973 #37 Country
A country 45 that my dad had in his collection and I may have gotten it for him after finding a bunch of old jukebox forty fives. I tend to give the country records to my dad for fear of being ridiculed by my schoolmates, real people don't listen to country, they listen to rock. Bullshit, I have tend to enjoy the songs that Dad used to play, even tho this song is kinda slight, somewhat a lighter Lynn Anderson number.
5) Happy To Be Unhappy-Leroy Van Dyke (Mercury 72198) #54 Country 1964
Written by Bobby Bare, it managed to top some of the local country charts and it's uptempo in the way of Walk On By but it's unremarkable and hasn't stood the test of time. Not that country radio plays it much if at all. Leroy's Mercury songs have been on my record player including scratchy ole favorite How Long Must You Keep Me A Secret. Like Dave Dudley, I tend to buy the Mercury singles if they're in reasonable shape. Even without a record sleeve it does play like new. B side Now I Lay Me Down shows Leroy going toward a more mellower sound. With so so results, tho I give him credit, the song is only 2 minutes long.
6) You Talk Too Much-Frankie Ford (Imperial X-5686) 1960 #87
Frankie benefited from Huey Piano Smith and The Crowns backing him up when he was with Ace Records and moving over to Imperial resulted in some fine New Orleans rock and roll. Once again, Ford lost out to another person in covering songs, this time to Joe Jones who made number 3, while Frankie's toiled down near the bottom. Some say that Ford had the better version had they heard it. B Side If You Got Troubles Frankie co wrote with Huey Smith and does rock.
7) Oh Julie-The Crescendos (Nasco 45-6005) #5 1958
Prime choice rockabilly doo wop that has been featured on a couple of Excello best ofs. In a way reminds me of Gene Vincent's Wear My Ring (don't ask why).
8) Anti-Protest Protest Song-David Winters (Mercury 72537) 1966
Thanks to Bob Dylan, there were plenty of protest songs and parody protest songs. This one escapes me tho', Never heard of it before finding a decent copy at the St Vincent De Paul. Working with Shelby Singleton and Alan Lorber, this is actually a decent pop rock song. Not much is known about Winters, he did record for a few minor singles for minor labels and this was his only Mercury single.
9) I Don't Miss You-Shoes (Elektra E-46598) 1979
The third and final single from Present Tense, Zion Illinois' very own Shoes were too power pop for the radio, Single number 2, Too Late went to number 75 on the charts but radio didn't play them much over here. I'm not sure why I kept passing up on this single over at Moondogs, unless I kept overlooking it, or somebody did bring it in for trade. I Don't Miss You is a bit more harder rocking complete with fuzz guitar. When Real Gone issued a best of, this song didn't make the cut but it can be found on Shoes Best. But Real Gone tacked on B Side In Your Arms Again, which is okay but a bit out of the 3 minute comfort zone. Hmm
10) Gone Long Gone-Chicago (Columbia 3-10935) 1978 #73 (79)
After a long night of scouring for 45s and unlike my record hunting buddy, I didn't dig very deep, I decided to grab something on the way home, Kwik Star had nothing of note so I went over to Taco Bell and hung out with the teenagers, and not one of anybody in that place was born before 2000. Including the help. It begin to dawn on me that perhaps going to Taco Bell at 9 30 at night isn't a good idea if you over 50. Eventually they all cleared out to go hot rod'ing on JFK Drive in DBQ. Which really has nothing to do with this song. The third and final single off Hot Streets, this is Chicago beginning to be taken over by Peter Cetera's vocal work and Donnie Dacus had the tough task of replacing Terry Kath, who lost out to a shotgun. The beginning of the wilderness years? I still like this song, tho the 45 sounds a bit too scratchy for my liking.
11) Brooklyn Roads-Neil Diamond (Uni 55065) #58 1968
The beginning of Neil's Uni career and a song that managed to pop in the top 60. The Velvet Gloves And Spit album is strange Uni debut, including the Pot Smoker's Song. Brooklyn Roads is a sweet ballad that Neil would be famous for later on down the road. Neil's bizarre Holiday Inn Song shows a more playful side shall we say? Kudos to arranger Howard Johnson for this one. *wink*
12) Hey Little Girl-Del Shannon (Big Top 3091) #38 1961
Del may have been a walking contradiction, (Geoff Redding says working with Del was a pleasure, local legend musician Timothy said he was a A hole) but his songs are always been paranoid and tortured, Hey Little Girl is something like Runaway but a bit more optimistic on the chorus tho in this PC age anything with Little Girl in it is frowned upon. Damn republicans anyway. The song isn't as urgent as Runaway was but it's a passable listen. B side I Don't Care Anymore is textbook Shannon songwriting, sounds like it was written for the Everly Brothers. But probably a bit too dark for their liking.
13) MTA-Kingston Trio (Capitol F-4221) #15 1959
Protest music 1959 style. In the years of collecting 45s, The Kingston Trio seem to make their way to the Singles Going Steady Series. This was the third single bought at the St Vincent De Paul (3 for 50 cents). I could have swore I have the Tom Dooley single but have yet to find it, or maybe I donated it back to the thrift store? Certainly the Kingston Trio did make a few duds, but MTA is not one of them. B side is All My Sorrows. Record plays better than the Neil Diamond and Chicago singles.
14) It's Nothing To Me-Jim Reeves (RCA PB-10956) 1977 #14 Country
The last song, comes from my dad's collection, I think I gave this to him when I moved out of the house the first time but I could never locate another copy that wasn't chewed up and so I went back home and found this 45 once again. By then Jim was thirteen years removed from this world, but RCA continued to put out his songs in varied form. Originally from 1960 thereabouts, Bud Logan overdubbed a rock guitar to update the sound. It was chart fairly high on the country charts, even beyond the grave, Reeves still made the country charts, his next seven selection made top 40 country. However the writing was on the wall and after a disappointing number 54 pairing with Patsy Cline's I Fall To Pieces, RCA would issue one more single, the number 70 The Image Of Me in 1984. We're still waiting on a decent best of from RCA on Gentleman Jim.
UPDATE: Five years after the big find, I returned to the Salvation Army Davenport Store and found nothing. They still have a few of the scratchy juke box records from the last couple visits but I went away empty handed. One thrift store had 45s but the only one that looked good Sam The Sham' Oh That's Good No That's Bad I didn't buy. I figured I would get my record player a break from the scratched up wonders I found last month and this month. I didn't go into Illinois to seek out records, but stayed in Davenport and watch the CR Kernels beat the River Bandits in a 6-2 game that took three and a half hours to complete. It was so boring that one of the Kernels outfielder asked me what time it was, I said 9:30. Turns out I was right for a change. The game was three hours and thirty six minutes long.
Fact: Both Austin Shaffer and Felipe Tejada started the July 8th game at the QC which Cedar Rapids won 6-5. On this game, both were relievers Tejada got rocked for 4 runs in the fifth inning and lasted 2/3 of a inning. Attendance of this game was 3,400, tho' most of them left before the 9th inning, to which Josh Winder pitched 6 stellar innings and striking out 9 River Bandits. For the first time I didn't see any home runs by either team this year. In the games I watched of this rivalry, Cedar Rapids won both.
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